Imation Link Wireless USB AV Extender

Have you ever found yourself watching a video on your computer wishing you could watch it on you television from the comfort of your couch? Imation's Link might be just what you're looking for. It could add more value to your computer and television by using them together.

Page 3: Link, Conclusion

As mentioned before, installing the Link is really simple. First, connect the fin shaped receiver to an HDMI port on your television or projector. Link also has a VGA output and a 3.5mm stereo audio jack to use if an HDMI port isn't available, but you will need to supply your own cables. The receiver also comes with it’s own power supply that needs to be plugged into a standard wall outlet. Imation recommends that you place the receiver on the top of your television or just in front of your television at the base. The most important thing to consider when deciding where to place it is that it will have a line of sight within 30 feet of the transmitter.

Next, connect the USB transmitter to a USB 2.0 port on a Windows PC (7, Vista, or XP) or Mac (OSX Tiger, Leopard, or Snow Leopard) . For Windows, the drivers are located on the transmitter. To install them, have Windows perform the installation automatically when prompted and follow the on screen instructions. Mac users will have to run the software that’s on the included CD. Once the driver is installed, an icon appears in the system tray (see the screenshot below). All of the software options can be accessed by right-clicking the icon.

Depending on the option selected, the desktop is now mirrored or extended to the television or projector. Windows will recognize the television or projector as a second monitor so the resolution can be adjusted just like any other monitor or through the software options. Imation recommends using 1280 x 720 or less. Now, the possibilities are almost endless. Why almost? Link allows photos to be viewed at 1080p quality, but not video. Video is restricted to 720p as the highest quality. This is a bit of a disappointment, but understandable considering the technical limitations of wireless USB.

We used Link with video stored locally and video streamed from the Internet from sites like Netflix, Hulu, and various television network sites. We also tried using Link in combination with the Boxee application. At fullscreen the audio and video played back at great quality without any hiccups or delay even when computer used was in motion. If the video plays well on the computer used, it will play well over the Link connection.

Imation’s Link is a fantastic device. Not just because it does what it’s intended to do so well. It’s how it can be used to turn what’s become a seemingly solo experience into one that can be shared in company. Computers are usually setup and used in the home office or a bedroom. As a result, all of the entertainment that the computer and Internet can offer has never been able to truly become a shared experience. On the other hand, the television has become the centerpiece of living rooms where family and friends can gather together for entertainment. Link leverages this so family and friends can still gather in front of the television, but to finally share the entertainment of the computer and Internet. It retails for around $149.99 (Amazon Link), which is very reasonable for the capability it provides.

Comments

Name: alterseekers
This is an awesome news if they're doing that, except that nowadays, there's a lot of ways you can be able to relay your computer/laptop's display to your HDTV. One option that I like best is to do it wirelessly by using Netgear's Push2TV product. This device makes use of the HDMI port on your HDTV and acts as a wireless adapter, displaying what you see on your computer/laptop on to your HDTV. So instead of connecting the computer/laptop via an HDMI cable, the Netgear Push2TV takes its place, and wirelessly displays the contents of your computer/laptop even if they're in separate rooms in the house. To know more about Netgear's Push2TV product, I suggest referring to this link, http://bit.ly/bByST7. Go ahead and check it out for yourself.